Heat reflecting system for roofs

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a covering for a roof or other surface. The cover reflects solar radiation most notably heat, away from the roof to reduce heat buildup in the attic and in homes or other structures. The reduction of heat will in turn reduce the amount of energy required to cool the home or building structure during the hot summer months. The covering system can be comprised of one or more sections and can be white, light colored, metalized, or be painted or printed with a reflective metallic finish or a combination of finishes. The cover is placed over the roof with the white, light colored or reflective metallic surface facing the sky. The cover also contains slits so that the cover can vent winds that could put excessive stress on the cover or the roof structure. One or more covers can be used on a roof depending on the size of the roof and number of sections. The cover may also be cut or sections can remain uncovered to expose air and plumbing vents, attic fans, chimneys, sky lights, dormers, solar panels, and the like. The cover can be retracted or removed for the cold winter months so that the building structure or home can be warmed by the sun and aide in the reduction of energy used for heating their interiors.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to static, retractable, removable,temporary roof covering or coverings for reflecting solar radiation,specifically heat, away from a roof or similar surface.

BACKGROUND

Dark roofing materials absorb heat especially in summer months. Some ofthe heat radiates from the roof back into the atmosphere while some ofit heats the attic and the home. It should be noted that good insulationand ventilation of roof structures, especially in more recentlyconstructed buildings reduces heat build-up but fans may still beemployed to reduce heat inside of an attic or other space. Olderstructures may not have enough insulation or ventilation to offset heatbuild-up. In warmer climates, roof shingles or other sheathing that arelight in color is used more often and can reflect a portion of the heataway from the building reducing heat build-up inside. However, in themore northern areas dark roofs are more common and can absorb heatduring the winter months and can warm the attic or a whole structure.Dark roofs in the non-winter months can burden air conditioning, atticcooling fans, and other cooling systems in homes and buildings that leadto increased energy costs, increased insulation costs, aging of internaland external roof materials, and a possible increase in externalenvironmental temperatures in areas with a high concentration ofbuildings or homes.

The present invention is a removable/retractable covering that isapplied as needed to reflect heat away from the roofs of homes andbuildings during the hot summer months and can be retracted during thecold winter months to allow warming of the same structures. Some mayrefer to the invention as a roof awning or roof canopy system.

Others have developed shingles, coatings, or other roofing systems topermanently cool roofs and buildings.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,975 to Schult, discloses a polymeric web to sealroofs against the penetration of moisture and to reflect solarradiation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,439 to Marek, discloses the use of a water soakedpolymeric sheet to cool structures.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,940 to Wiens, discloses heat shielding shingles tobe permanently applied to roof structures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,058 to Patry, describes a flexible material toprotect a built-up roof structures from harmful effects of the sun andother elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,686 to Backenstow, et al, discloses an impermeablemembrane held to a roof deck with fastening systems to resist the highuplift forces of the wind and to repel rain.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,238 to Alderman discloses a combined sheet styleinsulator with air gap and reflector to be permanently installed in aroof, wall, floor or other structure to aide in cooling of buildings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,145 to Baka discloses a portable awning assemblyattached to the side of a van by adjustable suction cups.

The afore mentioned embodiments are more geared to protecting roofingmaterials from long term degrading effects of solar exposure and heat.Most embodiments concerning cooling in buildings are concerned withventilation to prevent heat and moisture buildup in roofing structures.These embodiments are for more permanent or longer lasting solutions andare not practical for use only during hot seasons.

Embodiments relating to awnings generally disclose their uses astemporary tents or umbrellas for use with recreation vehicles, to coverpatios, form temporary car ports, and the like.

The present invention prefers but is not limited to spun bound non-wovenmaterials such as white construction grade Tyvek* since it has areflectance of about 90% compared to common black shingles that arebelow 10%, and common white shingles that are around 30% (see referencedliterature). As an extra benefit Tyvek* also reflects ultraviolet rayswhich would increase the life of a covered conventional shingles orother roof sheathing. It has been stated in the referenced literaturethat shading of a building by trees or other means can reduce indoortemperatures up to 20° F. (11° C.).

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aroof covering system comprising of a material or materials with a meansof tying or securing edges; and a means of venting moisture from theroof structure; and a means of venting access wind to minimize stress onthe securing system and the roof or building structure to which thecover is secured; and can be cut or customized to fit a specific shapeor section of roof.

In use, the cover portions are secured to a roof in a way as to notinterfere with the function of the gutter, vents, sky lights, chimneys,solar panels, and the like. This forms a heat reflective covering on theroof. The heat reflective portions overlie the roof, to shade respectiveportions of the roof. The preferred arrangement provides air andmoisture passages through the heat reflector covered roof sections viaslits, slots, holes, porosity of the material or film or the like.

The cover or sections of cover would be removed or retracted, folded orrolled, and stored in a bag, box, or an awning type container untilneeded.

The covers are preferably composed of recyclable porous materials,and/or reflective films with added UV inhibitors and flame retardantchemicals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodimentof the present invention:

FIG. 1 view of a structure with a one piece roof cover deployed;

FIG. 2 is a view of a structure where roof covers are deployed insections;

FIG. 3 is a view of a structure where the roof cover has openings fordormers, customized dormer covers, and a magnified view of cut slitsthat act as vents to reduce wind stress on the cover and the roof.

FIG. 4 is a view of a structure with customized covering panels withcutouts for a chimney, skylight, and a plumbing vent along securingmethods between panels, around the eves, and gutter.

FIG. 5 shows cover panels that wrap around the gutter with cutouts toallow water drainage into the gutters. The panels are secured below thegutter most preferably anchored directly to the eves or to a roller.Rollers can be situated on the top of the roof, on the sides of theroof, or in the eves of the structure. The rollers can be manuallyoperated or motorized or both to deploy or retract roof covers.

FIG. 6 is a view of a printed or applied decoration to a roof cover.Decorations or the like can be applied to a cover or cover panels.

FIG. 7 is a view of a cover with edging applied as a decoration or as ameans to block the sun from a portion of the structure or openings suchas windows, doors or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of a roof cover 10 is shown overlying theroof 12 of a building 14 to reduce the amount of heat from the sun thatis transferred to the interior of the building via the roof 12. Thecover 10 has been deployed on one or both sides of the roof. If treesshade one side of the roof the roof cover may only have to be deployedon one side of the structure. The cover does not have to blanket theentire roof.

As illustrated, FIG. 2 shows a number of cover sections 11 arranged sideby side to shield one side of roof 12. FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrate thatcovers 10 and panels 11 have been customized or manufactured to haveopenings for dormers 13 or other protrusions from roof 12, where FIG. 3shows smaller covers 15 on the dormers.

To provide good heat dissipating characteristics the roof cover can beperforated with cuts 16 as an example or can be very porous or both toallow air passage through the covered portion of the roof therebycooling roof 12 and preventing the build-up of moisture in and on theroof. With the perforations 16, both air and water may flow throughfreely.

As illustrated, FIG. 4 shows that cover sections 11 can include a numberof connecting means 17 to secure adjacent covers 11 relative to oneanother and other types of connecting means 18 to covers to building 14when they are arranged in rows or singularly on roof 12.

The cover 10 or panels 11 are preferably composed of one or morematerials. These materials may also include UV inhibitors to improve theresistance of the cover to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and flameretardants to prevent combustion from hot rooting materials exposed tothe sun and chimney exhaust.

The covering is flexible to allow it to be retracted, or unsecured, fromthe roof and rolled-up, or folded for storage when not in use. FIG. 5depicts a possible arrangement of the roof covering and a device ormechanism for its deployment, retraction, and storage.

In other alternative arrangements the roof cover may be attached to oneor several rollers for ease of deployment and retraction from the roof.The roller can be manual, motorized, or both with the cover deployedfrom beneath the gutter, from upon the apex of the roof, or from theside of the roof or building structure or from the ground depending onthe design of the roof.

As illustrated, FIG. 6 shows a decorated or printed roof covering ifdesired for aesthetic purposes or advertising. It should be noted thatany colorations may reduce the reflective efficiency of the covering.

FIG. 7 depicts a designed component added to one or more edges of thecovering system for aesthetic as well as functional purposes. It hasbeen noted in literature that about 40% of unwanted heat that builds upin a house comes in through windows. Added designed parts can be used toshade windows and for other purposes. Decorations and design componentscan also be combined to achieve a desired appearance and desiredfunctions.

It should be also understood that the roof cover system can also be usedon structures with flat or slightly sloping roofs. The securing meansmay differ depending on the roof structure and the drainage systememployed.

Temperature and wind indicators can be used with automated forms of thisinvention to automatically deploy or retract roof covers or coverpanels.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in theforegoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possiblewithin the scope of the invention. The invention is to be consideredlimited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A roof covering composed of a white, light colored, metalized, orreflective metal coated surfaced film, woven, or non-woven, porous ornon-porous material, or a combination thereof, and comprising: a flatsheet with a means of securing all or some of the edges; and a means ofventing wind and moisture to minimize stress on the securing system andthe structure to which the cover is secured; and can be cut orcustomized to fit specific shapes, or sections of roof, skylights,chimneys, dormers, roof vents, other projections and the like; and ispreferably made out of but not limited to a reusable UV (ultraviolet)treated flame retardant reinforced fabric such as Tyvek* or similar spunbound tear resistant material; and can be slightly lifted off of theroof with spacers, tubes, or other means to form an air space under thecover if desired; and can be decorated, printed, painted and ornamentedwith customized edgings for decoration or advertising if desired.
 2. Acover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the edge portions are affixedto a building or structure along one, or more sides including a means ofsecuring other covers if desired; and is configured to provide airmovement though a multitude slits, slots, cuts, or holes to reducestress on the roof structure by venting wind; and can be secured to aroof structure in preparation for the hot seasons and removed inpreparation for the cold seasons; and has edge portions that includefinishing films, materials or fabrics that protect the edges from theheat of exposed roofing shingles or panels; and can be cut to exposeexisting roof vents, sky lights and chimneys; and can be cut orcustomized to allow rain to flow or filter into gutters; and can beretracted using electric motors, manually, or both through mechanical ormanual means if desired.